Selectively oxidative cleavage of vicinal diols to the corresponding aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids is an important and basic organic reaction. Traditionally, this process is carried out by using stoichiometric periodate or lead tetraacetate as oxidants, respectively. Obviously, the traditional protocols are contrary to the development concept of green chemical industry in views of both economic and environmental standards. In principle, water is the only by-product in the selective oxidation cleavage of vicinal diols with molecular oxygen as oxidant, and molecular oxygen is cheap?and?easily?available, which affords the oxidative cleavage of vicinal diols of the dual advantages of environmental friendliness and economic feasibility. Therefore, a number of heterogeneous catalysts or catalytic systems with different transition metals as active components have been developed for such reaction after unremitting exploration, Such as Ru, Au, Mn,Co,which provides?groundwork for widespread application in the future. Herein, we summarize the advances of these catalysts and reaction processes by the classifications of precious and non-precious metals, and point out the development direction in this field.